Wireless power transmission system and method controlled via digital messages

Abstract

The disclosure relates to systems and methods for controlling a wireless power transfer system based upon Inductive Charging Technology using frequency based signaling communication protocol, operable to function in modes of Standby, Digital Ping, Identification, Power Transfer and End of Charge (EOC). The power transfer system comprising at least one wireless power outlet associated with a wireless power transmitter coil and at least one electrical device associated with a wireless power receiver coil, where the wireless power receiver coil is in multi-directional communication with the wireless power transmission of a message transmitter coil. The amount of power transferred is controlled by feedback communication between the receiver and the transmitter configured to increase or NO decrease power. More specifically, the present disclosure supports wireless power transfer incorporating transmission opportunity extended signaling supporting uni-directional and bi-directional communication enabling data transfer over extended range, higher power levels of power transfer and improved foreign object detection functionality.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A method for use in a wireless power transfer system configured to control wireless power transfer in an improved manner, said wireless power transfer system comprising:
 at least one wireless power outlet and at least one electrical device associated with a wireless power receiver, said wireless power receiver being in bi-directional communication with said wireless power outlet,   wherein said wireless power receiver comprises a receiver processor operable to execute power control instructions and configured to communicate periodically at least one polling request to said at least one wireless power outlet for at least one communication message, said method comprising:   obtaining a receiver polling period, said receiver polling period determining a time interval that the receiver processor is polling said at least one wireless power outlet;   receiving said at least one communication message from said at least one wireless power outlet;   processing said at least one communication message; and   sending at least one communication response to said at least one wireless power outlet.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said step of receiving at least one communication message further comprises the steps of:
 sending said at least one polling request to said at least one wireless power outlet, said at least one polling request being configured to indicate to said at least one wireless power outlet to transmit said at least one communication message; and   receiving said at least one communication message.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said step of processing said at least one communication message further comprises the steps of:
 decoding said at least one communication message;   computing a CRC of said at least one communication message;   if said CRC is valid, then sending an acknowledged message; and   if said CRC is erroneous, then sending an error message.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said sending an error message comprises sending a redacted CRC message of the last received correct communication message. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said sending an acknowledged message comprises sending a redacted CRC message of said at least one communication message. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said step of obtaining a receiver polling period comprises returning a default receiver polling period value to determine said receiver polling period. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said step of obtaining a receiver polling period comprises the steps of:
 obtaining a recommended polling period value from said wireless power transmitter coil; and   returning said recommended receiver polling period value to determine said receiver polling period.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said at least one communication message comprises a transmitter advanced capabilities report (TACR) message. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said transmitter advanced capabilities report (TACR) message comprises a message ID, data pertaining to a message length, data pertaining to a transmitter capabilities structure and a two byte cyclic redundancy check (CRC16). 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said message ID is set to 0x01 indicating it is representing said transmitter advanced capabilities report message. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said transmitter capabilities structure comprises data pertaining to a power level supported, data pertaining to an extended range support, data pertaining to an extended signaling support, data pertaining to RXID validation. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein said RXID validation is indicating that RXID verification is executed by said at least one wireless power outlet. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said at least one communication message comprises a polling period configuration (PPC) message, said polling period configuration message comprising data overriding the receiver default polling period associated with said wireless power receiver. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said polling period configuration (PPC) message comprises a message ID, data pertaining to a message length, data pertaining to a polling period and a two byte cyclic redundancy check (CRC16). 
     
     
         37 - 45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein said power level supported is selected from a group consisting of a power class of 5 W, a power class of 10 W, a power class of 15 W, a power class of 20 W, a power class of 30 W, a power class of 40 W, a power class of 50 W, and a power class of 70 W. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein said extended range is selected from a group consisting of standard range and extended. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein said extended signaling is selected from a group consisting of standard signaling, uni-directional extended signaling, bi-directional extended signaling, and bi-directional continuous signaling. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 24 , said step of sending at least one polling request further comprises the step of:
 if a received communication message from said wireless power outlet is valid, then continue sending additional polling requests until full message is completely received.   
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said step of sending at least one communication response further comprises the steps of:
 disabling polling request transmissions;   sending said at least one communication response; and   enabling polling request transmissions.   
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said receiver polling period is set as a default time interval of at least one second.